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13 Amazing Cancun Snorkeling Tours

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE

Are you visiting Cancun and searching for the very best Cancun snorkelling tours? 

This article has rounded up the best snorkeling tours in Cancun based on itinerary, price, location and timings. You will find the perfect tour for your upcoming trip in the featured tours below.

If you want to experience world-class snorkelling Cancun Mexico is the place to go, as the waters off the coast of Cancun and the Riviera Maya offer some of the best waters for snorkelling in the world. The snorkeling locations are accessible, varied and unique.

You can snorkel from the shore or in the open sea in crystal clear warm water with excellent visibility. Where else in the world can you snorkel over coral reefs, shipwrecks, sinkholes and art installations? Plus, in addition to more tropical fish that you thought it possible to see, you will also see rays and sea turtles. 

If you are visiting Cancun, the opportunity to join one of the amazing Cancun snorkeling tours on offer should not be missed. 

Cancun snorkeling tours

Cancun Snorkeling Tours At A Glance

Cancun snorkelling tours generally depart from the marina in Cancun, from Puerto Morelos or from Playa del Carmen

Most tours travel the Riviera Maya coastline or out to sea to prime snorkelling locations, and some tours travel as far as Isla Mujeres. All tours include the boat trip and your snorkelling equipment, others include soft drinks, a guide and transportation to and from your hotel. Some tours offer additional activities and lunch. 

There are some eco-conscious Cancun snorkelling tours that do not allow any form of sunscreen (not even reef-safe sunscreen), and some tours have age and mobility restrictions. 

Tours range from short two-hour tours to half or full-day tours, and tour boats vary from speedboats to catamarans to elegant sailing boats. Tours vary according to location, the size of the tour group and the type of boat used. 

It is important to note that the advertised time of a tour is not the actual time you will spend in the water, but the entire tour, including transport by bus and boat. 

TOP PICK Snorkeling Tour Cancun

If you don’t have time to read all of this article, the following tour is my top pick out of the Cancun snorkeling tours available. I chose it because it offers a variety of snorkeling locations plus two adrenaline-fuelled activities but at an affordable price. 

#1 Snorkel at 5 snorkeling spots, Jet Ski, and Parasail

snorkelling Cancun
Photo credit: Viator

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

One of the best snorkelling tours in Cancun (and one of the most highly rated), this large group tour packs a lot into a half-day excursion. It offers full and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance of the trip and an alternative trip if the tour is cancelled due to bad weather. An optional shuttle bus to and from the marina is available. 

WHAT’S PROVIDED?

  • Bottled water
  • Fuel surcharge
  • Travel on an air-conditioned boat
  • All your snorkeling equipment plus parasailing and a jet ski ride
  • Use of lockers, showers and a bathroom

ITINERARY

The tour starts with snorkelling and travels to five different Cancun snorkelling spots so you will see the best that Cancun has to offer. You will see coral reefs and a wide array of tropical fish, shipwrecks, underwater statues and the chance to swim with sea turtles.

After snorkelling, you can try exhilarating parasailing. 

Soaring up to 260 feet above the Caribbean is something you will remember for a long time. This is followed by a 30-minute shared ride on a jet ski before heading back to the marina in Cancun. 

Book this amazing snorkeling trip in Cancun here:

Best Cancun Snorkeling Excursions

#2 Coral Reef Snorkeling with Lunch

snorkeling Cancun Mexico
Photo credit: Viator

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

This small, sociable group tour is limited to 14 guests and offers both morning and afternoon tours, so it will easily fit your schedule. If you are looking for a budget-friendly snorkelling Cancun tour, this is a good option. 

WHAT’S PROVIDED?

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Use of snorkel equipment including a new snorkel tube
  • A professional guide
  • Lunch at a local restaurant
  • Lockers

ITINERARY

After your pick up, you will drive to the fishing village of Puerto Morelos, 40 minutes by van south of Cancun. 

Your guide will go over basic snorkelling skills and safety tips before fitting you with a life jacket and your snorkel gear. 

You will then get to snorkel in one of the best Cancun snorkelling locations, the Puerto Morelos coral reef, where you can see tropical fish, rays and turtles. 

After showering, there is free time to explore Puerto Morelos or sunbathe on the local beach. The tour group then meets for lunch at a Puerto Morelos beach club before returning to your hotel in Cancun.

Book this amazing snorkeling trip in Cancun here:

#3 Small-Group Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Snorkeling in Puerto Morelos

best snorkeling in Cancun

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

This whistle stop tour visits the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest coral reef in the world. The tour only lasts two hours, so it is ideal for people short on time or people who want a taste of Cancun snorkelling but don’t want to allocate a full day to it. 

If you prefer small group Cancun snorkelling trips, this tour is a good option. It is limited to 10 people, so it is ideal for families with young children over 4.

WHAT’S PROVIDED?

  • National Park fees
  • Bottled water
  • A professional guide
  • Use of all snorkeling equipment
  • Optional use of a wetsuit

ITINERARY

You will meet the tour group at the operator’s base in Puerto Morelos, where you will be fitted with your snorkelling equipment and wetsuit. 

Your guide will then take you on two 45-minute snorkels around the stunning Mesoamerican Reef, where you can see turtles, rays and fish of every shape and colour. 

Note that this tour does not allow guests to use any form of sunscreen (even reef-safe sunscreen) and instead offers wetsuits for sun protection. 

Book your spot on this tour here:

#4 Reef and Shipwreck Snorkeling Tour in Cancun

snorkeling in Cancun
Photo credit: Viator

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

This tour is limited to 10 guests, so moving around will be quick and easy, and you won’t waste lots of time on multiple hotel pick ups and drop offs. They offer free cancellation up to 24 in advance of the tour, and a full refund or alternative tour should the tour be cancelled due to lack of numbers or bad weather. 

This is one of the best Cancun snorkelling tours for a variety and budget prices. It is a half-day trip visiting several locations, and you will spend around two hours snorkelling in the sea.

WHAT’S PROVIDED?

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cancun
  • Use of all snorkeling equipment
  • A professional bilingual guide
  • Bottled water
  • Insurance
  • Photo of your tour

ITINERARY

You will be picked up from your Cancun hotel by air-conditioned van before heading to the marina, where you will be fitted out for snorkelling and receive safety instructions. 

An in-shore briefing will allow you to test your equipment and learn useful snorkelling tips before boarding the boat. 

Just three minutes later, you arrive at the first stop, where you will snorkel at an average depth of 10 feet. You will then move on to another, deeper location to snorkel over underwater art installations called ‘The Blessings’ and ‘Aquarium Family.’

The third stop of the day will be your best chance to see sea turtles and rays. The final location is a Cancun shipwreck snorkelling spot abundant with tropical fish. 

Once back on dry land, you will be transported back to your hotel. 

Book your spot on this tour here:

Luxury Snorkeling Tours In Cancun

If you like to travel in luxury wherever you go, there are luxury Cancun snorkeling tours for you. 

#5 Luxury Catamaran and Snorkel, Lunch & Open Bar Onboard and Visit to Isla Mujeres

best Cancun snorkeling
Photo credit: Viator

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

This tour is ideal for anyone who wants the trip to the snorkelling location to be as memorable as the snorkelling itself. 

It is suitable for anyone over 8 years old, takes up to 35 passengers and offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. 

WHAT’S PROVIDED?

  • Lunch
  • Open bar
  • All your snorkeling equipment (including a life jacket)
  • A catamaran trip, including crew and docking fee
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

ITINERARY

This 5 -6 hour Isla Mujeres snorkeling tour from Cancun starts with a hotel pick up after which you will travel to the catamaran and head out into the open sea. The boat follows the Cancun coastline stopping at prime snorkelling spots along the way. 

After lunch, you will enjoy a freshly cooked gourmet lunch on board the catamaran before heading to Islas Mujeres. Once at the island, you will have free time to explore or to join a guided tour of the island, after which you will enjoy a leisurely sail back to Cancun.

Book your spot on this tour here:

 

#6 Luxury Catamaran and Snorkeling, Lunch & Drinks Included

snorkeling tour Cancun
Photo credit: Viator

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

This half-day 4 hour tour starts from Playa del Carmen, so is ideal for anyone not staying in central Cancun. With this tour, you can get a pickup service from any hotel on the Riviera Maya. You also get to visit a lesser-known reef, which will allow you to snorkel without the crowds.  

WHAT’S PROVIDED?

  • Guided snorkeling
  • Snorkel equipment and paddle boards
  • Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks (once water activities have ended)
  • Lunch
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

ITINERARY

After your hotel pick up in Riviera Maya, you will board the catamaran at the marina next to the Puerto Aventuras resort. 

Sailing along the Riviera Maya coastline, you will stop at Inah Reef, one of Cancun’s best and lesser-visited snorkelling destinations. You can spend time snorkelling amongst the tropical fish or, alternatively, have a go at stand-up paddleboarding. 

After the watersports have ended, you will enjoy a freshly cooked gourmet lunch and alcoholic or soft drinks from the open bar on board before a leisurely sail back to Playa del Carmen. 

Book your spot on this tour here:

#7 Half-Day Sailing Trip to Isla Mujeres from Cancun

Cancun snorkeling tour
Photo credit: Viator

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

If you are looking for Isla Mujeres snorkelling tours, this 4 – 5 hour afternoon tour is a good option. You will have plenty of time to visit downtown Isla Mujeres during the tour. 

WHAT’S PROVIDED?

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • A guided snorkeling tour
  • All your snorkelling equipment (including a brand-new tube)
  • An open bar and snacks 
  • A bilingual guide
  • Visit to Isla Mujeres

ITINERARY

After the hotel pick ups are completed, you will travel to the marina to pick up your sailing boat. 

On the way to Isla Mujeres, you will make a stop for snorkelling on a coral reef. Continuing your journey to Isla Mujeres, you can help yourself to complimentary snacks and drinks from the open bar. 

Then you will have free time to explore the island or to sunbathe on Playa Norte beach before starting your sail back to Cancun. 

Book this amazing snorkeling trip in Cancun here:

Best Combo Snorkeling Tours Cancun

There are so many fantastic locations to visit in this region, so why not book one of the Cancun snorkeling tours that combine multiple locations or activities? 

The following tours offer the very best snorkeling sites and outdoor adventures that Cancun and the Yucatan has to offer. 

#8 5-in-1 Cancun Snorkeling Tour: Swim with turtles, reef, Musa, shipwreck and cenote

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

If you want to visit a variety of locations but are a weak swimmer, a novice snorkeller or have children with you, book this tour. 

This operator specialises in introducing novice snorkelers to the sea. It accepts children over 6 and keeps the group size small, with a maximum of 10 guests. Plus, it offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. 

If you have been looking for Cancun cave snorkeling trips or Cancun snorkeling with turtles trips, this tour will combine the two. 

WHAT’S PROVIDED?

  • Transportation to and from your accommodation
  • Bottled Water
  • Use of showers and lockers
  • Bilingual guides
  • Use of snorkeling equipment

ITINERARY

After the hotel and hostel pickups are completed, the tour starts with a gentle snorkel on a coral reef close to shore at an average depth of 10 feet. 

You will then travel to MUSA to view two underwater art galleries (‘Blessings’ and ‘Vestiges’). Once you feel happy in deeper water, you will head to an open sea location to try to find sea turtles and rays, followed by a final, exhilarating snorkel over a shipwreck

The confidence you gain as the tour progresses will allow you to fully enjoy (and explore) the last location of the day – an underwater cenote – after which you will travel back to your Cancun hotel. 

The trip lasts between three and four hours, and you will spend an average of two hours in the water. 

Book this amazing snorkeling trip in Cancun here:

#9 Exclusive Combo Tour: Tulum Ruins, Reef Snorkeling Plus Cenote and Caves

Cancun snorkeling excursions
Photo credit: Viator

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

This highly rated full-day 8 hour day has an early start of 6 am in order to beat the crowds in Tulum. 

It cleverly combines snorkelling in the sea on a coral reef and snorkelling in a vast inland cenote and is one of the only Mayan adventure snorkeling tours Cancun has to offer. Children over 4 are accepted on this tour. 

WHAT’S PROVIDED?

  • A bilingual guide
  • Air conditioned transportation to and from your accommodation
  • Snorkeling equipment 
  • Lunch
  • Bottled water
  • Admission tickets to Tulum Ruins and Cenote Xtun

ITINERARY

You will travel by bus to Tulum to tour the ancient Mayan ruins and enjoy some free time, spending around 1.5 hours in total on the historic site. 

You will then be taken to the shore, kitted out with snorkelling gear and enjoy a short but exhilarating five-minute motorboat ride out to sea. You will spend one-hour swimming and snorkelling on a coral reef where you can see tropical fish, rays and sea turtles.

After lunch, you will travel to a cave where your guide will give you a tour explaining how the cave was formed and the types of formations you can see. This is followed by a trip to nearby Cenote Xtun for a swim, after which you will be driven in comfort back to Cancun. The cave and cenote trips will last around three hours. 

Book your spot on this tour here:

#10 Combo Tour, reef snorkel, ATV, ziplines, cenote, lunch and transport

snorkeling in Cancun Mexico
Photo credit: Viator

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

This 7 – 8 hour tour packs a lot into a short time frame. If you want a taste of everything Cancun has to offer but don’t want to spend too much time on any one activity, this fast-paced Cancun jungle tour speedboat and snorkeling excursion is a good option. 

WHAT’S PROVIDED?

  • Use of all snorkeling equipment
  • All activity equipment
  • Snacks
  • Bottled water
  • Admission to National Reef Park in Puerto Morelos and Mayan Cenote
  • Transportation to and from your hotel

ITINERARY

After getting fitted with your snorkelling equipment and life jacket, the trip starts with a boat trip to the offshore National Reef Park, where you can snorkel and see a variety of tropical fish.  

This is followed by snacks at a private beach club and a walk through Puerto Morelos. Afterwards, you have the chance to drive an ATV on bumpy dirt trails in the middle of the jungle.

Then you will go ziplining on a series of lines high above the jungle.

These active adventures are followed by a more sedate visit to an idyllic cenote for a cool off swim and sunbathe. There is also the option to have lunch in a local Mayan restaurant before returning to your departure point. 

Note that this tour starts and ends in Puerto Morelos, so you will spend 1.5 hours travelling to and from Cancun, and there are weight limits for the zip lining course. You can expect to spend around 30 minutes on each activity. 

Book your spot on this tour here:

Best Whale Shark Tours Cancun

#11 Top Rated Whale Shark Tour

best Cancun snorkeling with whale sharks

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

This highly rated tour is by speedboat and has an average boat time of five hours (three hours of which will be with the whale sharks). All ages, abilities and diets are catered for on this tour, and reviewers cite the excellent customer care they received. 

This tour offers an incredible eight languages so everyone can feel included and informed, and it has a maximum of ten travellers per trip. Plus, a flexible free cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure. 

WHAT’S PROVIDED?

  • A continental breakfast
  • Ceviche lunch with totopos & guacamole
  • Water and soft drinks
  • Snorkelling equipment
  • Life jacket
  • Bi-lingual guides
  • Hotel pick up and drop off

ITINERARY

The tour starts with an on-shore breakfast at the departure pier before setting off on the one-hour sea crossing to the aquatic national park, where the whale sharks congregate to feed.

You will then spend three hours on average at the park, taking it in turns to enter the water two at a time with a guide. Then you will travel to Playa Norte for a delicious freshly cooked fish lunch before travelling back to your departure point for your transfer back to your hotel. 

Book your spot on this tour here:

#12 Budget Whale Shark Tour From Cancun

whale shark snorkeling Cancun

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

This budget-friendly tour departs from Isla Mujeres and lasts approximately six hours. There is free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. 

The tour offers a bilingual guide in English and Spanish, and guests can expect two turns in the water (possibly three turns, depending on trip numbers and weather conditions). 

WHAT’S PROVIDED?

  • Snacks
  • Lunch
  • Water and soft drinks
  • All snorkelling equipment
  • Life jacket
  • National park fees
  • Hotel transfers

ITINERARY

This tour follows a similar itinerary to the tours already mentioned. After the hotel pick-ups are complete, you will travel for around one hour to the national park to swim and snorkel with the whale sharks. 

Following a freshly cooked fish lunch, you will return to your departure point and meet your hotel transfer. 

Book your spot on this tour here:

#13 VIP Private whale shark tour Isla Mujeres

whale shark excursion Cancun

WHY BOOK THIS TOUR?

If you want to guarantee a small group and highly personalised service, and excellent customer care, this is the tour for you. 

This tour is for one to six people, so you could even have the tour all to yourself if you wanted to. The small group size means that you will have more chances to enter the water and swim with the whale sharks. 

The six-hour tour departs from Cancun, and there is a certified guide bilingual in English, Spanish and Italian on board. The tour also includes the use of a wetsuit which is invaluable for warmth and buoyancy, particularly for children and less confident swimmers. 

WHAT’S PROVIDED?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Snacks
  • Water and soft drinks
  • Snorkelling equipment
  • Wetsuit
  • Life jacket
  • Hotel pick up and drop off
  • All fees and taxes

ITINERARY

After departing from Cancun, the boat travels for approximately 50 minutes to the national park where the whale sharks can be found. You will then spend around 2.5 – 3 hours at the park, which will ensure that the small number on board have three turns in the water if they wish to. 

The crew will serve sandwiches before journeying to Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres for some downtime sunbathing and swimming. A freshly cooked fish lunch is served in Playa Norte, after which the boat travels back to Cancun. 

Book your spot on this tour here:

What To Pack For Your Cancun Snorkeling Trip

There are several essential items to pack for snorkelling trips in Cancun. 

Firstly, don’t forget your swimming gear and your snorkelling equipment (if you prefer to use your own rather than the ones provided on tour). 

As you will be exposed to the sun a lot on your sea trip, it is a good idea to pack a well-fitting, wide-brimmed hat that won’t fly off in the wind and a good pair of sunglasses. 

Plus, as previously mentioned, some tour operators will not allow you to use sunscreen on their boats, even reef-safe cream, in an attempt to protect the fragile coral reefs where you will be swimming. 

Therefore, it is highly recommended to pack a UV swimming top for your Cancun snorkeling trip. This is particularly important for children.

Most tours provide bottled water, but it is always a good idea to bring your own extra water in a reusable bottle. 

You will have a once-in-a-lifetime experience snorkelling in the clear waters of the Caribbean, so bring a waterproof/underwater camera to capture the moment. 

When Is The Best Time For Snorkeling In Cancun?

It goes without saying that the best time to go snorkelling in Cancun is on a calm, clear day. The waters around Cancun can get rough and choppy, making even the steadiest sailor suffer debilitating seasickness.

Unfortunately, you can get rough waters even in the peak season months. Check that your tour allows a free reschedule, or a free refund should the tour be cancelled due to bad weather. 

Generally speaking, the best snorkelling conditions are between December and April when the weather is warm and dry. The ‘dry season’ results in the clearest seas and best visibility. 

If you want to avoid strong currents, rough seas, and cancelled trips, avoid snorkelling between June and November, particularly in the peak hurricane months of September and October. 

Whenever you choose to snorkel in Cancun, the water will be pleasantly warm. The average water temperature between December and April is 26 degrees Celsius / 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Water temperatures peak in September at 31 degrees Celsius / 87.4 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Whichever time of year you choose to snorkel, it is better to snorkel in the early morning or late afternoon without a direct overhead sun affecting visibility. 

Isla Mujeres MUSA

Cancun Snorkeling Tours: FAQ

Do you need a wetsuit to snorkel in Cancun?

A wetsuit is not essential for either open sea or Cancun beach snorkeling. 

However, a wetsuit will keep you warmer than bare skin swimming and will add extra buoyancy, so it can be a good choice for children or weak swimmers. 

Plus, as some companies do not allow any type of sunscreen on their trips, a wetsuit will add an extra layer of protection from the sun. 

How much does it cost to go snorkeling in Cancun Mexico?

Walking into the sea from a Cancun beach and snorkelling close to shore is free. But if you want to visit the best snorkelling locations in Cancun and offshore coral reefs, you will need to join one of the many Cancun snorkelling tours. 

Snorkeling in Cancun cost varies according to the length of your tour, the type of boat you are travelling on, how many people are in your group and what your itinerary includes. 

Snorkeling in Cancun prices start from as little as £21 / $26 per person, increasing up to around £200 / $250 per person for the best whale shark snorkeling Cancun trips

Where is the best snorkeling near Cancun?

The best snorkeling in Cancun depends on what you want to see and experience, but any of the following locations will provide an incredible experience. 

One of the best snorkelling Cancun has to offer is the Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest coral reef in the world, which stretches for over 600 miles between Mexico and neighbouring Honduras. 

The reef is home to over 500 species of tropical fish and over 60 different species of coral. It is simply unmissable if you are visiting Cancun. 

Other popular locations include the Manchones Reef off Isla MujeresPuerto Morelos with its offshore natural sinkhole, Punta Nizuc and the Bay of Akumal for sea turtles.  

If you want something a little different, book a Cancun Underwater Museum snorkel tour. The underwater museum (known as MUSA) lies off the coast of Isla Mujeres. It contains 500 life-size sculptures and art installations that were placed under the sea to create an artificial reef. Snorkelling around the ghostly underwater figures feels like visiting a lost world. 

Is Cancun good for snorkeling?

Cancun is great for snorkelling. The water is warm and clear, with incredible visibility. You can snorkel offshore, but even if you have to travel into the open sea, the distances are small. 

The snorkelling locations are varied; you can snorkel over sand, a coral reef, a sinkhole, an art museum or over a shipwreck. It has some of the most varied and unique snorkelling experiences of anywhere in the world. 

You will not only see a wide range of colourful tropical fish, but you can see rays, sea turtles and whale sharks. If you are visiting Cancun, you must do at least one snorkelling trip. 

What time of year are sharks in Cancun?

If you want to join a whale shark excursion Cancun peak whale shark months are from June to September. Your best chance of seeing and swimming with whale sharks will be between July and August.

What month is Sargassum worse?

Sargassum, the seaweed that travels from the Gulf of Mexico to the shores of Cancun, is at its highest levels between May and October

This naturally occurring event can make the sandy beaches and clear seas of the Riviera Maya less appealing to swimmers and snorkelers. Cancun authorities work hard to remove Sargassum from the beaches manually, but you can expect to see pockets of it if you visit Cancun during this time. 

What’s the cheapest month to go to Cancun?

The cheapest months to visit Cancun are during the rainy season and the peak hurricane months of September, October and November. 

Cancun Snorkeling Tours: Final Word

The Caribbean waters off the coast of Cancun offer some of the best, most accessible and varied snorkelling locations in the world. Snorkeling in the Caribbean is an unmissable experience if you are visiting Cancun. 

The best way to see and experience the diverse locations is by joining one of the high-quality Cancun snorkeling tours recommended in this article. 

Make sure you allocate time and money to your Cancun trip budget to grab this opportunity of a lifetime. Whichever of the tours listed you choose to join, make sure you book now to avoid missing out on this incredible and unforgettable experience.

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